The Social Security Program of the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia revealed the precise details regarding the mechanism for dealing with real estate assets owned by beneficiaries, and how these assets affect eligibility and the value of monthly support, as part of the program’s commitment to delivering support to its actual beneficiaries with high transparency.
Property calculation mechanism in the developed guarantee
The program clarified that eligibility assessment is based on calculating total household income, which includes not only monthly cash income but also all assets and funds owned by the beneficiary. Regarding real estate , the program confirmed that all properties are included in the calculation, including those inherited by the beneficiary.
However, the system includes a crucial exception to protect family stability: the primary residence of the beneficiary is excluded from wealth calculations, meaning that owning a primary residence does not affect pension eligibility. Regarding the property ownership threshold, the program indicates that owning more than two properties (besides the primary residence) may negatively impact eligibility, as this is seen as an indicator of financial solvency that could remove the beneficiary from the category of those in need.
System context and strategic objectives
This clarification comes within the context of the enhanced social security system, which was activated to align with the Kingdom's Vision 2030. The system primarily aims to shift from dependency to productivity, providing a robust social safety net for the most vulnerable groups, regardless of marital status or gender, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. The system relies on electronic integration with various government agencies to ensure the accuracy of applicants' financial and property data, thus guaranteeing the equitable distribution of Zakat and public funds.
Types of dependents in support requests
In a related context, and to make it easier for beneficiaries when submitting applications through the electronic platform, the program classified the types of dependents that can be added to the unified file into three main categories to ensure comprehensive care:
- Close relative: This includes first and second degree relatives (father, mother, husband, wife, children, brothers and sisters, grandfather and grandmother).
- Recommended dependent: These are people who fall under the legal responsibility and care of the family, such as a foster parent.
- Co-occupier: This is a flexible classification that includes anyone who lives in the same dwelling as the primary beneficiary but is not a relative, reflecting the system's realism in dealing with various forms of shared housing.
This detailing of the criteria is an important step to enhance the financial efficiency of the program, and to ensure that cash support and economic empowerment are directed to families who genuinely lack sufficient income to meet their basic needs.
